Dispensing System

ABSTRACT

A dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item, the cartridge being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, in which the breaching means are contained in the cartridge and are activated upon rotation of the cap whereby to dispense the product into a container.

The present invention relates generally to a dispensing system and particularly to a dispensing system for introducing a consumable or other item from a container closure into the container.

There are a variety of circumstances in which it may be necessary and/or preferable for components of a product to be kept separate until the point of use. For example, certain additives may have only a limited period of efficacy once they are introduced into a base. In other situations it may be preferable for more aesthetic reasons, for example if the additive introduces colour and/or flavour to a beverage.

Various solutions have been proposed for the introduction of a substance from a closure into a container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,921, U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,683, WO2006/123946 and EP1611024.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems with known delivery systems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, in which the breaching means are contained in the cartridge and are activated upon rotation of the cap whereby to dispense the product into a container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, the cartridge being collapsible and the breaching means being contained in the cartridge and activatable by collapse of the cartridge, in which rotation of the cap causes the cartridge to collapse whereby to dispense the product into a container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a collapsible storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, the breaching means being activatable by collapse of the cartridge, in which rotation of the cap causes the cartridge to collapse whereby to dispense the product into a container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cartridge for a dispensing system, the cartridge comprising a body for containing a consumable or other item, at least part of the body is collapsible and the body is closable by a breachable closure member, in which in use collapse of the cartridge causes breaching of the closure to dispense the consumable or other item.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and a base which is attachable to a container, the cartridge comprising an opening through which the consumable or other item is dispensed into the container in use, the opening being sealed by a laminar panel, the cartridge being welded to the base.

By welding the cartridge to the base a firm connection and a seal can be established. This can be used to prevent product in an associated container from passing between the base and the cartridge.

The laminar panel may be welded to the base. A welding operation may therefore be used which welds the panel to the base.

The panel may be welded to the cartridge opening. A “double welding” operation may therefore be used. The laminar panel may be used in either or both of the welds.

The cartridge may comprise a welding flange. The flange may be formed surrounding the cartridge opening.

The laminar panel may comprise foil. A single layer panel may be used or a multi-layer panel with different materials may be used.

Welding may be achieved by induction sealing, for example inducting heat sealing. Other sealing methods, such as conduct, may be used.

The system may further comprise an overcap. The overcap may be used to actuate the system and cause dispensing from the cartridge into a container.

A further aspect provides a method of assembling a dispensing system for a container, comprising the steps of: providing a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item, the cartridge comprising an opening through which the consumable or other item is dispensable into the container; providing a base which is attachable to a container; sealing the opening with a laminar panel; and welding the cartridge to the base.

The opening may be sealed by welding of the panel.

A cap may be provided and the method may further comprise the step of assembling the cartridge into the cap. The cartridge may be assembled into the cap before the cartridge is welded to the base.

The welding steps may comprise induction welding, from example induction heat welding.

According to a further aspect there is provided a dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item and being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, in which the breaching means are contained in the cartridge and are activated upon rotation of the cap whereby to dispense the product into a container.

The present invention may therefore provide a means for holding a component separate until the cap is rotated whereupon the cartridge is caused to release its contents. Because the breaching means is contained within the cartridge the breach of the closure member is made from the inside towards the outside.

The consumable or other item may comprise, for example, a fluid such as a liquid or gel, or a solid such as powder or a tablet. There is a wide range of applications for such a system including, for example, for beverages to add flavouring, colouring, dietary supplements and the like, for pharmaceutical products such as bleach concentrates, fertilisers and for other products in which components need to be mixed just before use.

The system may be configured such that it is not possible to gain access to the container without rotating the cap. In other words, breach of the cartridge is not selective and will occur automatically in use.

The cap may comprise an overcap, with the system further comprising a base which is attachable to a container. The cap may be rotatable with respect to the base to activate the breaching means. In this case the base will remain stationary on the container whilst the overcap is rotated.

The base may be removable from the container. For example, an initial rotation phase may cause turning only of an overcap and in doing so activate the breaching means; then at the end of the first rotation phase the overcap may become prevented from further rotation so that continued force causes turning of the base. Accordingly the overcap and/or base may be provided with surface formations such as screwthread formations to engage with corresponding formations which provide for the required relative rotations.

The base may include tamper evident means for indicating if it has been removed from the container; and the cap may include tamper evident means for indicating if it has been rotated, for example with respect to a base. The tamper evident means may comprise, for example, a tamper evident band.

The cartridge may be collapsible and activation of the breaching means may be caused by collapse of the cartridge. The cap may have internal features such as cam profiles which press onto the cartridge as it is rotated.

The cartridge may be thermoformed or blown from a plastics material such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. In some embodiments the cartridge may be formed from a barrier material to prevent ingress or egress of substances such as oxygen, water or carbon dioxide. A multilayer material may be used for this purpose. The cartridge may be shaped and formed to facilitate collapse, for example a corrugated structure may be used.

The closure member may comprise a membrane, such as a laminar disc or pad. For example, an aluminium foil disc may be used.

The breaching means may comprise means for piercing, cutting, slitting, pushing or the like depending upon the form of the closure member. In some embodiments the breaching means comprises a rigid member such as a rigid spike. The breaching means may be placed into the cartridge at the time it is filled and sealed.

In some embodiments the system will provide confirmation that an initial rotation phase is complete to alert a user that the cartridge has dispensed its cargo. This could be useful, for example, if after release of the cartridge contents they need to be mixed into the container contents before removal of the closure system.

The breaching means may be activated by a cam arrangement provided on the cap. For example, the cam arrangement may provide the means of collapsing the cartridge which in turn activates the breaching means.

The present invention also provides the combination of a system as described herein together with a container.

Different features, embodiments and aspects of the present invention may be used together and/or separately. For example the method of the present invention may be effected upon a dispensing system of the present invention.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing system formed according to the present invention shown connected to a container;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a storage cartridge forming part of the system of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6A is a section of the system of FIGS. 1 to 4 shown in an unopened position;

FIG. 6B is a further section of the system shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an exterior side elevation of the system shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 7A is a section of the system of FIG. 6A to 6C shown following a first rotation phase;

FIG. 7B is a further section of the system of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is an exterior view of the system of FIGS. 7A and 7B;

FIG. 8A is a section of the system of FIGS. 6 and 7 shown following a second rotation phase;

FIG. 8B is a further section of the system of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the container neck finish following removal of the system;

FIG. 10 is a perspective section of the finish of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a dispensing system formed according to an alternative aspect;

FIG. 12 is a section of the system of FIG. 11 shown assembled;

FIG. 13 is a perspective exploded view of a dispensing system formed according to an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective exploded view of a dispensing system formed according to a further embodiment.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a dispensing system generally indicated 10 shown connected to a container neck 15. The system 10 comprises an overcap 20 and a base 25 which are described in more detail below.

Referring now also to FIGS. 3 and 4 the system 10 is shown to comprise the overcap 20, the base 25, a storage cartridge 30, a cutting member 35 and a sealing membrane 40 (the membrane 40 is not shown in FIG. 4).

Referring now also to FIGS. 6A to 6C, in which the system 10 is also shown assembled onto the container neck 15, the overcap 20 comprises a disc shape top plate 45 and a generally cylindrical side skirt 50 which depends from the periphery of the plate 45. At the end of the skirt opposite the plate 45 the cap has an annular tamper-evident band 55 which is connected to the skirt 50 by a plurality of frangible bridges 60.

The interior of the skirt 50 is provided with screw thread formations 65 and the top plate 45 is provided with a depending inner annular sealing skirt 70. The top plate 45 is further provided with a generally cylindrical annular cam member 75 which is inclined at its free end.

The cartridge 30, which is shown also in FIG. 5, is generally rigid cone-shape body with an annular base 31 defining an open end and a frustoconical roof 32 which is inclined radially inwardly and formed as a series of concentric steps 33 to provide a corrugated structure which is collapsible.

At the centre of the roof 32 an annular channel 34 is provided. The channel 34 is dimensioned to receive the cam member 75 and accordingly is inclined as shown best in FIG. 6A. In use the cartridge 30 is fitted into the overcap as shown in FIG. 6A so that the cam member 75 fits into the channel 34.

The cutting member 35 comprises an annular cutting band 36 with a plurality of cutting teeth 37 at one end. At the other end of the band 36 three spokes 38 project and support a central hub 39 which includes an annular groove 39 a. In use the cutting member 35 is received in the cartridge 30 so that the hub 39 engages in the roof 32 within the channel 34 where it is clipped into position by engagement of the channel bead 34 a into the hub groove 39 a as shown best in FIG. 6A.

The sealing disc 40 comprises a laminar disc of aluminium foil dimensioned to fit over the open end of the cartridge band 31. In use the cartridge is prepared by inserting the cutting member 35 and filling it with product before sealing with the disc 40.

The base 25 comprises a generally cylindrical main section 26 the interior of which is provided with an internal screw thread 27. At the free end of the section 26 an annular tamper evident band is provided and is connected to the free end by a plurality of frangible bridges 27 a. The interior of the band 27 is provided with a plurality of ridges 27 b which in use engage under a locking bead 16 on the neck finish. At the other end of the section 26 a shoulder 26 a projects radially inwardly. A generally cylindrical engagement body 28 projects from the shoulder 26 a and carries external screw thread formations 28 a which engage with the internal screw thread formations 65 on the overcap. The body 28 is dimensioned to fit between the sealing annulus 70 and the side wall 50 in use as best shown in FIG. 6A.

The shoulder 26 a terminates with a downwardly depending cartridge recess 29 which includes a radially inwardly directed step 29 a and a terminal mouth portion 29 b which depends from the step 29 a.

In use, the filled and sealed cartridge 30 is assembled into the overcap 20 and then assembled onto the base 25 as shown in FIG. 6A. The cartridge fits into the recess 29 and the free end of the band 31 (which is covered by the membrane 40) rests on the step 29 a. The membrane 40 is welded to the step 29 a and this helps prevent rotation of the cartridge in use.

The assembled system 10 is fitted to the container neck 15 as shown in FIG. 6A so that the neck finish is received between the base skirt 26 and the recess 29.

The section 28 also comprises a ratchet tooth 28 b which engages with a corresponding ratchet tooth on the overcap to stop the overcap being rotated completely off the base.

In use, the overcap 20 is turned and begins to rise up the base 25. The tamper evident band 55 cannot rise axially because it is held firmly on the base. Accordingly the frangible bridges 60 break and the band 55 is released as shown in FIG. 7A. As the overcap 20 turns the cam member 75 starts to travel through the channel 34 so that the longer sections of the cam start to pass through shallower sections of the channel 34. This results in compression of the roof 32 so that it collapses towards the membrane 40.

As the roof 32 collapses it carries the piercing member 35 with it and pushes the cutting band 36 into and then through the membrane 40. This breaches the membrane 40 an releases the contents of the cartridge 30 which pass through the mouth 29 b and into the container. At this point the ratchet prevents further rotation of the overcap with respect to the base.

Continued turning now starts to turn the base 25 relative to the neck fitting as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. As part of this movement the tamper evident band 27 breaks away from the skirt 26.

Continued rotation of the cap/base results in its release from the neck with the exception of the tamper evident bands 55, 27, which remain on the finish as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The contents of the container, which now includes the contents of the cartridge, can be dispensed. The container can be reclosed by the cap/base if required. The cap is locked in its raised position relative to the base and cannot be screwed back down by virtue of the ratchets.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a dispensing system generally indicated 110. The system comprises a base 125, an inverted, generally cup-shape storage cartridge 130 and a laminar sealing panel 140.

The cartridge 130 is very similar to the cartridge 30 described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 10 and the annular base 131 which defines the open end terminates with an annular welding flange 131 a which projects orthogonally from the free end of the base 131.

In order to assemble the system 110 the cartridge 130 is filled with product and then the open end of the base 131 is sealed by welding the panel 140 to the flange 131 a.

Subsequently, and as shown in FIG. 12, the filled cartridge is fitted into the base so that the cartridge rests on the base, with the flange 131 a seated on the step 129 a. Subsequently, the step 129 a is welded to the pane 140. This results in a double welding which seals the mouth portion 129 b.

Referring now to FIG. 13 there is shown a dispensing system 210 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The system 210 is very similar to the system 110 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 except than an overcap 220 is provided.

Assembly of the system 210 is as follows. The cartridge 230 is filled with product and then the open end of the cartridge 230 is sealed by welding the laminar panel 240 to the welding flange 231 a. The filled cartridge is then inserted into the overcap 220 and this subassembly is fitted onto the base 225. The base 225 is then welded to the cartridge 230 by heat induction sealing of the base to the panel 240 on the opposite side of the panel to the flange 231 a. The system 210 can then be applied to a bottleneck 215 ready for use.

Referring now to FIG. 14 there is shown a dispensing system 310 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The system 310 is very similar to the system 210 in FIG. 13 except than an internal cutting member 335 is provided for the cartridge 330.

Assembly of the system 310 is in some embodiments the same as that for the system 210. In alternative embodiments the order of assembly of the parts is different. For example filling of the cartridge may occur after the panel 340 is applied by filling through the opposite end or the cap 320 may be applied after the cartridge 330 has been welded to the base 325.

In embodiments where an internal cutting member is not provided some other mechanism for breaching the panel 240 to allow product to be dispensed from the cartridge 230 may be provided. For example an external breaching means may be provided by the base 325 or collapse of the cartridge may be configured to cause bursting of the panel. 

1-43. (canceled)
 44. A dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item, the cartridge being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, in which the breaching means are contained in the cartridge and are activated upon rotation of the cap whereby to dispense the consumable or other item into a container.
 45. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the cap comprises an overcap and the system further comprises a base which is attachable to a container.
 46. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the cap is rotatable with respect to the base to activate the breaching means.
 47. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the base is removable from the container.
 48. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the cartridge is collapsible.
 49. The system as claimed in claim 48, in which the breaching means are activated by collapse of the cartridge.
 50. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the closure member comprises a membrane.
 51. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the breaching means comprise piercing means.
 52. The system as claimed in claim 44, in which the cap comprises a cam arrangement to activate the breaching means.
 53. The system as claimed in claim 45, in which the cartridge comprises an opening through which the consumable or other item is dispensed into the container in use, the opening being sealed by a laminar panel, and the cartridge being welded to the base.
 54. A dispensing system for a container, the system comprising a cap and a collapsible storage cartridge for containing a consumable or other item, the cartridge being attached or attachable to the cap, the cartridge comprising a breachable closure member and breaching means for breaching the closure member, the breaching means being activatable by collapse of the cartridge, in which rotation of the cap causes the cartridge to collapse whereby to dispense the consumable or other item into a container.
 55. A cartridge for a dispensing system, the cartridge comprising a body for containing a consumable or other item, at least part of the body being collapsible and the body being closable by a breachable closure member, in which, in use, collapse of the cartridge causes breaching of the closure to dispense the consumable or other item.
 56. The cartridge as claimed in claim 55, in which the cartridge is generally cone-shaped.
 57. The cartridge as claimed in claim 55, in which at least part of the cartridge is corrugated.
 58. The cartridge as claimed in claim 55, in which the cartridge comprises a roof and a base.
 59. The cartridge as claimed in claim 58, in which the roof is generally frustoconical.
 60. The cartridge as claimed in claim 58, in which the roof comprises a series of concentric steps.
 61. The cartridge as claimed in claim 55, in which the cartridge comprises a channel for receiving a cam member.
 62. The cartridge as claimed in claim 61, in which the channel is annular.
 63. The cartridge as claimed in claim 61, in which the channel is helical. 